Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 201: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

safe-conduct for Paoli also. But no matter! I dare say that no harm will ocour to him to-night, and if it should be otherwise, we must make the best of it. Bid him be cautious; and to-morrow a suitable passport shall be forthooming for his protection.” The two Ambassadors withdrew; and Ciprina said to the young gentlemen, “ You. will escort me as far as my hotel; for 1 can scarcely remain hore while you proceed to the appuintment at Petroro’s.” “We will escort you to your hotel,” answered Charles De Vere; “ and rest assured that you shall receive due intelligence of whatsoever may pro- sently transpire, if it be of importance.” The two young gentlemen and Ciprina now went forth together from tho mansion of the British Awbassador. Marcellin and De Vere left Ciprina at her hotel; and they bogan tu bend their way towards the street whore Signor Petroro dwelt, just as nine o'clock was being proclaimed from all the church towers of Florence. Be it borne in recollection that it was precisely at this same hour that Fathor Falconara issued from the residence of Count Ramoriny, after having tied the nuptial knot between that functionary and Lucrezia di Mirano. It happened that just as De Yere and Marcellin wore turving the corner of a street, they oncountered tho young priest exactly opposite a chemist’s window, which poured forth a glare of light that renderod.a recognition instan- ‘taneous betwixt our young hero and Father J‘al- ;conara, <—“"* “ Worthy and oxcellent friend!” exclaimed De Mare seizing the priest’s hand and pressing it with eothusiasm. “Ob, how rejuiced | am tu have this opportunity ——~ ” “Hush! hush!” interrupted Tather Falconars, “" a peremptory tone; and it was with a strange erd? “Tf you would” do this,” said the priest, “it would make sure doubly sure!” “T will do it with pleasure,” rejuined De Vere. “At this moment I have important business on hand: but if you will come to mo presently at the British Embassy——let us say at eleven o’clock— unless indeed it be too late for you ” ‘‘No—ié will not be too late,” answered the young priest. ‘ At eleven o’clock I will be with you at the British Embassy.” The ecclesiaatic passed on; De Vere and Edgar Marcellin pursued their way towards Petroro’s house. On reaching their destination, thoy learnt from Vetroro that Signor Paoli had not as yet arrived ; and it struck them both that the man did not appear to be in the best of all possible humours, 4 * Does anything ail you?” inquired Marcellin, “The truth is, signore,” replicd Petroru, “J am afraid of all these comings and goings; it takes su little to compremise a man in the estimation of our Minister of Police ‘i “ Kest assured that you will be protected,” in- terrupted De Vero. * Protected indeed!’ ejaculated Petroro. “IT certainly do not see how. Nevertheless, fur Paoli’s sake ” “T tell you how you will be protected,” said Charles. “Iam an Enplishman—my companion is a Krenchman—egnd our Ambassadors will see ivjury done to no person on our account. Besides, we ourselves are protected by your own Govern- ment:—the Minister of the Intcrior holds his shicld over our heads; and as a proof of the state- ment 1 am making to you, behuld the safe-conduct ' with"which I am provided.” ‘And hero is mine,” added Marcellin. Petroro’s countenanco brightened up when he y of sivlence that ne dragged our hero some | beheld these documents which the two young men little*way aside. “Ts it possible that you eve | showed him ; and he said, “ Well, signurs, I am communicated to that gentlowan who is with you, | glad to fiud that you are thus powerfully pro- jany thing f mean Ah! perhaps you cum- prebend what I do mean P” “JT simply told him the truth, holy father,” re- ied De Vore, at once understanding tho causo of Le young ecclesiastic’s excitement: “J said that esized upon you and overpowered you’ at gno ad Enough! enough !” ‘interrupted the priest. 3ut you, insensate that you are! to be thus road iu the streets of Florence! Can you not yjecture wherefore fam here? My object has an tu report to Count Ramorino, Minister of the sean Police, your cecape from tho fortress of goo—and that of the lady who waa taken thither th you. Dut you aro perhaps ignurant that she ewise has escaped 7” *“No—1 am aware of 1,” replied De Vere, But fear not on my account! Ramorino 1s power- is towards me.” “ ab! is this su?’ exclaimed fulponara, with a yk that Gvmonstrated all tho real pleasure his perous heat experienced on receiving this furancc. a Yes, it is so,” 1 ‘peated DeVere, “ And now “ethink me, rorbaye it might bo as well to draw a statement or sign Nn. wwe paper, in vindication Captain Bolluno, in cae he may be suspected mther complicity or neglect with regard tu my bya ” ltroro, who was now completely civil : tected. Whosvever enjoys the favour of the Minister of the Interior, may defy the Minister of Police. Aud now what is your ploasure? Will you remain here until Paoli shall arrive? or is it your desire that 1 should send a message to inti- mate- “Jf you are cortain that he will come,” inter- rupted De Vere, “ we lad better wait: for although we have given you certain positive assurances on your own account, yet i¢ must be borno in mind that Pach is more exposed by circumstances to the persecutions of the police, and it were only consis- tent with prudence on our part to avoid attracting suspicion of any kind towards your house.” * Wait, then, by all means, siynors,” said Pe- “it is the coming and going backwards and forwards of which FE aim so appreheusive,” fo Vere and Mareellin accordingly waited at Petrory’s huuse; and it was not until past ton u’¢lock that Paoli made his appoarance, He had been detained on the road by circumstances over which he had no control, but which it is not worth while to placo on record here. Marcellin presenveld Do Vere to the Neapolitan refugee; wud exciting’ indeed was the intelligence which. awinitad that unfortunate father of the murdered Giulio. (Phe neC whieh her own inqgiity had woven waa fust closing in around the Marchioness of Mirano: MIGIOO CO S CO